16 Secrets of (Sane) Stay-at-Home Moms

How to spend all day with your kids and not lose your mind

It’s a challenge that morphs over time — sometimes: Staying home with a brand-new baby can be overwhelming, exhausting, and (literally) physically draining. And staying home with a toddler or preschooler can be … exactly the same. But also surprising and often gleeful and freeing and wholly satisfying.

But sometimes hard. And monotonous.

But also rewarding and, yeah, hysterical.

We asked a slew of moms from across the country how they manage to stay happy and grounded while staying home with their kids full-time. Here, their confessions.

1. “Shower and get your ‘me time’ in before the kids are up. Stay on top of things, like picking up one thing as they move onto the next or washing food prep dishes while they eat.”

2. “Stick to a routine whenever possible. Friends, family, and doctor’s office receptionists won’t understand the importance of a 2 p.m. nap time, but don’t waiver because it’s you who will pay the price!”

3. “I don’t feel guilty about dropping my kids in the gym childcare so I can workout. It keeps me sane. Having a group of stay-at-home moms is great too. I can have adult conversations and my daughters have fun too.”

4. “My husband takes the kids somewhere every Saturday morning and gives me time for myself!”

5. “Find something you love to do and keep doing it. Whatever it is. I have always hated the domestic chores part of being at home, but as long as I have something to do that I love: exercise, my writers group, a class, I can be happy.”

6. “Walk with friends. It’s a great way to stay connected and exercise. It’s like multitasking in the best way.”

8. “Remember that time does fly by. I love the quote about the days being long but the years being short.”

9. “Invest in a good baby carrier so you can comfortably take your baby anywhere — grocery shopping, children’s museum, hiking — without worrying about a stroller.”

10. “When I feel lonely and want to pull my hair out, I set up a playdate and get a little adult conversation, and my kids get to blow some stink off.”

11. “Choose battles with your kids wisely! You ARE going to be with them all day, after all…”

12. “Forgive yourself for not being able to do it all.”

13. “Ask for help from your partner, family, or a hired sitter on those occasions you need ‘me time’ or just to run out to the store sans kids.”

14. “Early-bird happy hour playdates.”

15. “I finally realized (and accepted) that philosophically, my husband and I are on the same page, but practically, we sometimes do things differently. And that’s okay. The results are the same, we just have different methods occasionally. As soon as that clicked for me, things got easier instantly.”

16. “When all else fails pack ‘em up and go for a walk! Or exercise however you can to reduce your stress level. Doesn’t matter what you do, but those 30 minutes a day keeps you from complete insanity.”

It’s a challenge that morphs over time — sometimes: Staying home with a brand-new baby can be overwhelming, exhausting, and (literally) physically draining. And staying home with a toddler or preschooler can be … exactly the same. But also surprising and often gleeful and freeing and wholly satisfying.

But sometimes hard. And monotonous.

But also rewarding and, yeah, hysterical.

We asked a slew of moms from across the country how they manage to stay happy and grounded while staying home with their kids full-time. Here, their confessions.